abc.net.au/news/australian-first-beamline-particle-accelerator-space/102734100A high-tech new piece of equipment, "creating space on Earth" to test the resilience of space technology, is set to help Australia's space industry skyrocket.The beamline is the newest piece of equipment in the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility at the ANU in CanberraThe space irradiation testing beamline was unveiled yesterday at the Australian National University in Canberra.
Scientific Director of the HIAF Mahananda Dasgupta said the harsh environment of space had a range of radiation that could damage equipment, but heavy particles could be particularly problematic."This [beamline] is about the particles, which are like firing a cannonball at a piece of equipment, whereas gamma rays are like throwing ping pong balls."
Heavy Ion Accelerators CEO Tom McGoram said the new beamline was basically a test facility to give companies planning to put satellites into orbit confidence that they would actually work in space. As the new space-testing technology was unveiled yesterday, the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility, which hosts the new beamline, marked its 50th birthday.